For anyone walking through illness, fatigue, or a hard season—this one’s for you!
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10
Finding His Strength in My Cancer Journey
Faced with a cancer diagnosis, there were days I didn’t even feel like brushing my hair, let alone brushing on purpose.
But let me tell you something I learned in the deep, hard places: joy is not a mood…it’s a decision. And purpose? Purpose doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It shows up in the messy middle.
When I was walking through my own health journey, I had a choice every morning: curl up and cry, or get up and cry with a little lipstick on. And often, I did both. I had my meltdown, wiped the tears, powdered my nose, and kept going.
Because when you’re anchored in Jesus, even your weakest days can still carry weight. Even your suffering can shine.
Let me take you back to a chapter of my life where my body felt like it had betrayed me. My energy was low, the reports weren’t great, and even my eyelashes seemed to be praying for healing.
But deep down, my spirit refused to stay down. I wasn’t going to let sickness steal my sparkle. I made a decision: I was going to live each day on purpose, even if that looked different than I wanted.
And friend, if I can do it… you can, too.
How to Find God’s Strength In Your Own Struggle
“Have your meltdown, fix your mascara, and get back up like the Queen you are.”
1. Joy is a Weapon. Use It.
I used to think joy was something that arrived with the right circumstances—like surprise flowers or good news from the doctor. But in the battle zone of illness, I learned joy isn’t delivered to your doorstep. You pull it out of the war chest of your faith.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine…” — Proverbs 17:22
Some days, I found joy in tiny things: a funny meme, a good cup of coffee, the perfect pair of oversized sunglasses. Other days, it came from hearing my daughter Madison’s laugh or watching a silly sermon blooper. (Yes, those exist. And yes, God can use them.)
Joy doesn’t mean you’re fake-happy. It means you know Who holds your day, even when your day feels heavy.
So when your heart feels fragile, start thanking God out loud. Speak life. Open the Word. Put on worship. Shout over your circumstance with praise. Laugh even if it’s through tears.
Why?
Because every time you do, you’re punching darkness in the face.
2. Be Intentional About What You Feed Your Soul
Let’s talk about tank fillers vs. tank takers. Because honey, when you’re walking through a health battle, you can’t afford to be spiritually dehydrated.
I started being really intentional about who and what I let speak into my life. I stopped listening to people who told me to “just stay positive” without offering prayer, scripture, or support. I needed people who knew how to speak heaven into my situation.
I surrounded myself with:
- Faith-filled friends
- Sermons that lit me up (not just cute quotes, but Word-packed fire)
- Worship music that shifted atmospheres
- Scriptures posted on my mirrors, walls, and fridge
- Journals that held my rawest prayers and the promises I clung to
One of my lifelines was Proverbs 18:21: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Sister, what are you speaking? What are you consuming? If it doesn’t give life, it’s got to go.
Period.
3. Don’t Wait to Feel Better to Live Fully
There’s a mindset shift that happened for me during that season: I stopped waiting to feel better to start living again.
I couldn’t always do what I used to, but I could still dress up, show up, and shine up. On my hardest days, I would grab a bright scarf or a funky pair of earrings just to remind myself: “I’m still here, and I’ve still got light to give.”
Even if I was just sitting on the couch reading scripture or encouraging someone online, I did it with intentionality. Because when you live on purpose, the Holy Spirit has something to work with.
And let me tell you—some of my biggest breakthroughs came when I stopped waiting for perfect health and just started doing what I could do in the moment.
4. Encourage Others, Even When You’re Healing
I know it sounds counterintuitive. But when you take the time to pour into others, even while your cup feels half-full, something supernatural happens. It’s like God fills you up as you pour out.
Be the smile at the doctor’s office. Be the prayer warrior in the waiting room. Be Jesus with skin on, even when you feel worn out.
One day, I showed up to a women’s event sporting my wig, exhausted, but determined. And do you know what happened? I ministered through tears, and three women’s lives were changed for eternity. God used my messy yes and multiplied it.
That’s purpose.
5. Let God Surprise You
Sometimes we think living with purpose means we have to map it all out. But living with purpose is about being present and letting God show up in unexpected places.
One day I was curled up in bed, not even praying—just being. I was feeling weak and weary, and I whispered, “God, I’m tired.” And just like that, the sweetest peace blanketed me. A song came to mind. A scripture followed.
That one moment reminded me: Even here, I’m not forgotten.
That’s the thing about God. He doesn’t need a perfect setup to send you a surprise blessing. He just needs your availability. Sometimes, the most powerful purpose is simply being His daughter and letting Him love you through it.
6. Follow 7 Daily Steps to Live on Purpose in Hard Seasons
If you’re reading this and you’re in a battle—physical, emotional, or spiritual—here’s what I want you to know: you are not disqualified. You are still called. You are still chosen. And you can live with purpose today.
Here are seven daily steps that helped me live with joy and strength even when my body felt weak:
- Have your moment—but don’t stay there.
Cry. Scream into a pillow. Get it out. Then get back up. Wipe your tears and walk it out with God. - Feed your spirit before anything else.
Don’t scroll—soak. Start with scripture. Let your first words of the day be prayers, not complaints. - Dress for the life you’re believing for.
Even if you’re going nowhere, put on something fun. Look like hope, even if you feel like struggle. - Choose your circle wisely.
Be with people who will pray you through, not just pity you. You need tank fillers, not tank takers. - Speak life—out loud.
Declare healing, hope, and promises over yourself. Every. Single. Day. Say it until you believe it. - Be a blessing.
Send a text, pray for a friend, or smile at the cashier. Purpose is found in the little things too. - Celebrate small wins.
Got out of bed today? Win. Did the laundry? Win. Laughed at a joke? Big win. Write them down and praise God for each one.
Declaration & Prayer
Whatever your struggle, I invite you to embrace this declaration and prayer:
I declare that every day of my life carries meaning, even in the middle of pain. I will not let illness steal my purpose, joy, or identity. I am a woman of strength, dressed in dignity and armed with joy. I speak life over my body, my home, and my calling. I will live each day with heaven in my heart and purpose in my steps.
Father, thank You for being near to me when I feel weary and worn. Breathe new strength into my body and peace into my heart. Restore my joy. Anchor me in Your Word. Remind me that I am still here for a reason, and that You are working on every detail of my story. Let this be a day filled with life, laughter, and purpose.
In Jesus’ Name, amen.